Larry was happy to be in the air. There was nothing for him to do but sit back and relax on the flight. He would watch a double feature of Miss Congeniality and Miss Congeniality 2 and look forward to being on a beach in Spain in 12 hours. He even had a seat available next to him.
The plane took off and hit cruising altitude. Larry curled up under a blanket and then heard an announcement from the pilot. “Ladies and Gentlemen, we’re going to have a special lunch service today—an extra meal. Our crew will be coming around to deliver lunch favorites. Please enjoy the flight.”
Just then, Rick Recluse, the Great Detective, walked through the curtain holding two boxes.
“No,” Larry said indignantly, “Not on this flight.”
The detective sat down. “Larry, calm down. You don’t want to disturb the other passengers. Here’s a tuna salad, your favorite.”
Larry did like tuna salad, but he was still furious. He wanted to escape Recluse in Spain.
Recluse was a supposed friend of Larry’s, but he actually just put Larry in situations where they ate lunch, Larry bared his soul, and a bored Recluse made revelations about this latest case.
“I need a break from you,” Larry said. “I can’t do all of the drama with your cases.”
“Larry, do you think one of my cases is on this plane?” Recluse said. Larry wasn’t sure. It would be hard to stage an entire flight just to have lunch with Larry. Recluse started eating a steak. He ate with real silverware. Who allowed this?
“Alright, Rick,” Larry said. “We can eat lunch, and then I’m going to watch my movie.”
“Great, what movie?” Recluse asked.
“I’m doing a double feature of Miss Congeniality,” Larry said. “I really relate a lot to Sandra Bullock’s character. She is a consummate professional who has to navigate an unfamiliar situation. It really fits into my own fish out of water journey.”
“Of course, that’s the answer,” Recluse said, but he wasn’t talking to Larry.
The great detective stood up, and Larry realized he and Sandra B. would not have a calm international flight. “Ladies and Gentlemen. There is a murderer among us, and I intend to tease out the murderer on this flight.”